By Makena Behnke

i don’t always like to be on my phone or on the computer when i have spare time; it makes me feel good when i’m not sucked into social media or random websites. but, as a student, it’s hard to make time for things we want to do. i get it, but if you do happen to have time to spare and you’re not sure what to do without your phone, here are some suggestions:

• do some art. whether it’s drawing, colouring, painting, or photography, or really anything creative, it’s a great way to let some energy out, and it’s fun. whatever you decide to make doesn’t have to be good. just let it all out.
• go for a run. you don’t have to run fast or far, maybe just a quick dash around the block. you don’t even have to put shoes on or any special running clothes. (i like running barefoot; it feels good to feel the pavement.)
• read. maybe you’ve been meaning to finish a book you started a while ago, or you want to re-read your favorite book. maybe you can explore a new genre you haven’t really looked at before.
• clean, & re-organize. this sounds really… not fun, but when someone isn’t forcing you to clean, it’s not that bad. maybe sort through your bookcase, or sweep the floors, something simple. it always makes me feel more productive, plus my room is cleaner than it was. it’s a win-win in my book.
• explore your area. if you haven’t ventured outside your home much and into the possible random shops and restaurants you may have around you, you might want to explore. even if you don’t think you’ll find anything, it’s always good to just take a look. and, if you live in a strictly residential area, just wander around and see what houses you’ll find; maybe you’ll see a cute dog or something.
• watch a movie. sitting down with some snacks or maybe doing some art while watching a movie is always nice. it’s less mentally destructive than being on your phone or computer, at least for me.
• find new music. click on a genre you wouldn’t usually spring for, find something new. i usually type a random word into my spotify search bar and listen to a couple songs or an album that pops up. i’m not always successful, but it’s still fun.
• sleep. when all else fails, just sleep. you can take a quick nap to fast forward to something you’re looking forward to (a dinner, movie, etc). or you can nap to fill time. let’s face it: we all need more sleep.

Editor: AJ Patencio